Stamp-affixing machine



(No Model.) 4 SheetsSheet 1. E. 0. PALMER. STAMP Ali-FIXING MACHINE.

Patentd Oct.' 18, 1892.

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E- C. PALMER.- STAMP AFFIXING MACHINE. No. 484,448. Patengd Oct. 18,1892.

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5.0. PALMER. STAMP AFFIXING MAGHINE.

Patented Oct. 18, 1892.

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" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWIN O. PALMER, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

STAM P-AFFIXING MACHIN E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 484,448, dated October18, 1892.

Application filed September 28, 1891. Serial No. 406,996. (No model.)

T0 at whmn it may concern.-

3e it known that I, EDWIN G. PALMER, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Cleveland, county of Ouyahoga, and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp-Affixin gMachines, of which the following is a specification, the principle ofthe invention being herein eX- plained and the best mode in which I havecontemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from otherinventions.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detailone mechanical form embodying the invention, such detail constructionbeing but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of theinvention may be used.

In the annexed drawings, Figure I represents a perspective view of myimproved stamp-affixing device; Fig. II, a top plan view of the devicewith the top removed; Fig. III, a longitudinal section on the line IIIIII, Fig. II Fig. IV, a vertical cross-section on the line IV IV, Fig.III; Fig. V, a vertical cross-section on the line V V, Fig. III; andFig. VI, a perspective view of the stamp-carrier.

In the drawings the letter A indicates a casing, which in this case isillustrated as constructed to hold two denominations of stamps, althoughthe several mechanisms may of course be duplicated as many times asdesired to provide for a larger number of denominations of stamps.

As the devices for picking up, conveying, and affixing the stamps arethe same for each denomination, I shall, as far as the description ofsuch elements goes, confine myself to describing one set.

The principle upon which mydevice is based is the ability of a resinous,vitreous, or similar idioelectric body to attract and support a lightbodysuch as a bit of paper-when electrified by being rubbed upon asurface of wool, silk, or cats skin. In my device I make said body inthe shape of a knob or button B, preferably rectangular and of a sizeslightly larger than a postage-stamp. Said knob is secured upontthe endof a shank b, having a handle B and guided in a longitudinal slot at inthe top of the casing. The shank has a cross-bar b, which forms aguide-head for the device, which I shall term the stamp-carrier, as saidguide-head travels in guides C at both sides of the carrier and isrigidly supported in the casing. Said guides consist of rubbing portions0, which are parallel with the rubbing-surface of a rubber D,preferablyyieldingly supported in the casing upon springs 61, and against whichthe carrier may be rubbed to be electrified or charged with frictionalelectricity, the distance between the rubbing-surface of said rubber andthe rubbing portions of the guides being less than the distance betweenthe attractive surface of the stamp-carrier and its cross-bar, so thatsaid rubber may be depressed by said stamp-carrier against the tensionof its springs, and thus have frictional contact with the same. Therubbing portions of the guides are deflected into picking portions 0,(shown vertical in the drawingsJwhich portions direct the carrier to thestamp-receptacle E. This receptacle is shown in the form of a drawer E,extending transversely through the casing and provided with a suitablelock and with downwardly-yielding springcushioned stamp-retaining framese, within which the stamps are arranged in a pile, so that the carriermay be depressed and depress the spring-frame until it touches theuppermost stamp in the pile and attracts it. The guides are extendedforward and deflect into affixing portions 0 (shown vertical in thedrawings,) which portionsdirect the carrier toward a cushion or supportF, upon which the envelope, which has previously been moistened, rests.When the carrier and stamps are depressed upon the moistened envelope,the stamp will adhere and the carrier may be moved back to be againelectrified and to again carry a stamp forward.

As it is desirable to keep an account of the stamps used, I prefer toprovide a registering device which will register the number of stampsused of each denomination and register and indicate the total amount ofstamps used in dollars and cents. nal a disk G, having numbers from 1 toany desired number serially marked upon its periphery at the side ofeach guideway, and provide a slot a in the top of the casing of asufficient size to disclose one number. A ratchet-wheel G is secured atthe side of the register-disk and has a number of teeth cor- I thereforejour- IOO a guide for the same arranged to guide said carrier over andtosaid pad, receptacle, and support, substantially as set forth.

8. In a stamp-aflixing machine, the combination of a rubbing-pad, astamp-receptacle, and an envelope-support, all arranged in a series,with an idioelectric stamp-carrier and a guide for the latter, arrangedparallel with the rubbing-pad and with deflections to thestamp-receptacle and envelope-support, substantially as set forth.

9. In a stamp-affixing machine, the combination of a closed casinghaving an opening for the insertion of an envelope or letter, a lockedstamp-receptacle within said casing, and a stamp-carrier movable in saidcasing, substantially as set forth.

10. In a stamp-affixing machine, the combination of a set ofstamp-affixing devices, each device affixing one denomination of stamps,a set of registers, each register connected to be operated by oneaffixing device and to regport, a stamp-carrier, and a register havingan arm projecting in the path of the stampearrier, substantially as setforth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing to be my invention I havehereunto set my hand this 22d day of Sepember, A. D. 1891.

EDWIN C. PALMER.

Witnesses:

WM. SEOHER, J. O; TURNER.

